Kirk Longstein who spent more than two years in Malawi, Africa with the Peace Corps, shared his experiences with students at St. Joseph School in Elgin

Longstein, along with friend and co-volunteer Allie Hoagland, 25, presented information about their service and shared their experiences Wednesday with Schuster's class as well as the fifth-grade students of teacher Donna Fay. Schuster's class had been corresponding with Longstein since January 2009, sending him letters every two months. "The letters really helped me transition back to the American life, since I've spent the last two years in Africa," Longstein said. "It was one of the hardest and most life-changing experiences, and having this buffer, this 'fan club', will really provide me an opportunity to share my experiences with others." Using photos and memorabilia from the southeast African country, Longstein and Hoagland explained the differences in cultural lifestyles between that nation and the U.S., including food, clothing and occupational choices, as well as the roles both men and women play in day-to-day life.

Caption: Kirk Longstein, of Sleepy Hollow, who spent more than two years in Malawi, Africa with the Peace Corps, shared his experiences Wednesday with students at St. Joseph School in Elgin. Here he talks about the different climates of Africa. Photo: Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

Sleepy Hollow resident Kirk Longstein speaks to the students of St. Joseph School in Elgin Wednesday about Malawi, Africa, where he was stationed with the Peace Corps for more than two years.

Kirk Longstein always had a passion to serve his country, especially after years of influential support from his primary and secondary school teachers.

"We all have a sense of service, to help people in need," said the 27-year-old Sleepy Hollow resident. "Although we all show it in different variations, we all feel that way to some extent."

Longstein's sense of service took him on a two-year Peace Corps stint in Malawi, Africa. Back since April 12, he now is serving the Peace Corps mission in another way: promoting a better understanding of other cultures among his fellow Americans.

His first stop was former neighbor Cynthia Schuster and her fourth grade class at St. Joseph School in Elgin.

Longstein, along with friend and co-volunteer Allie Hoagland, 25, presented information about their service and shared their experiences Wednesday with Schuster's class as well as the fifth-grade students of teacher Donna Fay.

Schuster's class had been corresponding with Longstein since January 2009, sending him letters every two months.

"The letters really helped me transition back to the American life, since I've spent the last two years in Africa," Longstein said. "It was one of the hardest and most life-changing experiences, and having this buffer, this 'fan club', will really provide me an opportunity to share my experiences with others."

Using photos and memorabilia from the southeast African country, Longstein and Hoagland explained the differences in cultural lifestyles between that nation and the U.S., including food, clothing and occupational choices, as well as the roles both men and women play in day-to-day life.

Although separated by two different tribes while stationed in Africa, Longstein and Hoagland said they were able to meet up with one another and Schuster's son, Adam, during their service.

"We often joked how we were the only Chicago-based volunteers in that area, so we had to hang out," Hoagland said.

The two also highlighted the qualifications of joining the Peace Corps, and encouraged students to apply when they graduate from college.

"It will really help you develop a sense of pride in where you live, and can really help you learn who you truly are," Longstein said.

Janine Bolchazy, principal of St. Joseph's, also volunteered two years of her time formerly communist Slovakia, saying the experience was marvelous, something "money cannot buy."

"It's extremely important that our children, when they learn about ministry and service and volunteerism in our Catholic school, that they see people who have dedicated themselves for two years to help people who are less fortunate than we," she said. "It's marvelous."

Big Omission in Comprehensive ReportThe Peace Corps has always neglected the third goal, allocating less than 1% of their resources to it, so when Aaron Williams promised Senator Dodd to provide a "Comprehensive Assessment Report" with ideas to strengthen and reform the agency's operations we expected to see some forceful recommendations to address this critical weakness. Read the report and our commentary on the big omission in the third goal that committee members didn't address, discuss, or even mention.

Memo to Incoming Director WilliamsPCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams

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Story Source: Daily Herald

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Malawi; Third Goal

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